Vending machine accumulator



1 Q t I m 0 S 1 a 3 w e 3 h s 4 21, 1%? w. G GERHART ETAL VENDING MACHINE ACCUMULATOR Original Filed June 7, 1963 arch 21, 1967 w. GERHART ET AL 3,310,143

VENDING MACHINE ACCUMULATOR Original Filed June 7, 1963 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 March 21, 1967 w, GERHART ET AL 3,310,143

VENDING MACHINE ACCUMULATOR 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 Original Filed June 7, 1965 w W m March 21, 1967 w, GERHART ET AL 3,310,143

VENDING MACHINE ACCUMULATOR Original Filed June 7, 1963 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 United States Patent 3,310,143 VENDING MACHINE ACCUMULATOR Walter G. Ger-hart and Horace H. Smee, Edmonton, Al-

berta, Canada, assignors to National Vending Research Ltd., Edmonton, Alberta, Canada, a company of (Zanada Original application June 7, 1963, Ser. No. 286,367, now Patent No. 3,237,745, dated Mar. 1, 1966. Divided and this application Feb. 28, 1966, Ser. No. 530,462 4 Claims. (Cl. 1942) The invention is a division of that disclosed in our United States application Ser. No. 286,367, filed June 7, 1963, now Patent No. 3,237,745, issued Mar. 1, 1966 for a vending machine, incorporated herein by reference, the divisional subject matter of this application being that directed, inter alia, to a price-setting accumulator for totalizing electrical signals from a coin-controlled signal emitting unit and establishing predetermined price levels of items to be vended. I

This invention relates to vending machines and is particularly directed to a price-setting accumulator unit.

Heretofore, vending machines of the conventional type have suffered a serious disadvantage which has acted to destroy the purchasing publics ready acceptance in that, for example, most machines cannot credit coins received in the machines and automatically compute and provide change based on the sales prices of the items vended. Conventional machines normally thus require coins of a certain demonination only for the actuation of the vending mechanism or require change be incorporated in the package vended.

It is, therefore, a principal object of the present invention to provide a price-setting accumulator for use with vending machines for totalling electrical signal impulses emitted by a coin-controlled signal emitting unit regardless of the denomination of coin received.

Another object of the present invention is the provision of a price-setting accumulator which is positive and substantially trouble-free in operation.

And another object of the present invention is to provide a price-setting accumulator for crediting the value of coins received in a vending machine and automatically computing change to be returned to a purchaser upon selection of an item.

These and other objects of the present invention, and the manner in which they can be attained, will become apparent from the following detailed description, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIGURE 1 is an electric circuit diagram illustrating in substantial detail one embodiment of the counting and signal routing circuits of the invention;

FIGURE 2 is an electric circuit diagram of another embodiment of a counting and signal routing circuit;

FIGURE 3 is -a perspective view of an embodiment of the price-setting control mechanism and the accumulator drum advance mechanism of the present invention;

FIGURE 4 is a perspective view, partly cut away, of the drum advance mechanism illustrated in FIGURES 3 and 7;

FIGURE 5 is a longitudinal vertical section taken through the accumulator drum illustrated in FIGURE 3;

FIGURE 6 is a transverse section taken through the accumulator drum along line 66 of FIGURE 5; and

FIGURE 7 is an exploded perspective view of another embodiment of price-setting and control mechanism.

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Like reference characters refer to like parts throughout the description and drawings.

With reference to the embodiment of the invention illustrated in FIGURES 3 and 4, solenoids 46 to 48 electrically conncted to coin accept-reject mechanisms are mounted one above the other on partition wall 590 and are each operatively connected by links 267 to lever 268 which is normally biased in a substantially vertical atrest position on its pivot connection 285 by tension spring 269. Each of links 267 is pivotally connected to its respective solenoid at one end and the opposite end slidably mounted in one of the vertically aligned openings 270 formed in post member 271. Each link has a nylon bearing 272 secured thereto intermediate its ends adapted to loosely abut lever 268 when in its at-rest position and to displace lever 268 in the direction of the arrow when actuated.

A ratchet wheel 280 secured to drum 50 is adapted to be engaged by pawl 281 which is carried by lever 268 and which is biased downwardly by tension spring 282 for positive engagement with the teeth of the wheel. An adjustable stop 284 mounted on wall 590 is adapted to abut and lock pawl 281 in the position illustrated against the teeth of wheel 280 such that drum 50 is locked from rotational movement until pawl 281 is retracted.

Each solenoid 46, 47 and 48 is adapted to linearly displace its respective link a distance which is a function of the value of its respective coin switch. For example, solenoid 46 representing a 5 cent coin value is adapted to displace link 267 linearly and lever 268 angularly in the direction of the arrow a distance suflicient to displace pawl 281 past one ratchet tooth; about 15 angular displacement of ratchet wheel 288. Therefore, as solenoid 46 receives an energy pulse from a 5 cent switch, link 267 pulls lever 268 to the right as viewed in FIGURE 3 causing pawl 281 to step over one tooth of the ratchet wheel. As lever 268 is urged to return to its at-rest position by tension spring 269, pawl 281 engages the ratchet wheel turning sleeve 277 through about 15 of angular rotation. Stop 284 is adapted to co-act with pawl 281 to positively engage the ratchet wheel at the completion of advancement of the sleeve to prevent overstepping of the drum due to its inertia.

In like manner, the energization of solenoids 47 and 48 representing 10 cent and 25 cent values respectively advances their respective links 267 a distance proportional to the value represented by the solenoids. The 10 cent solenoid would therefore advance its connecting link and lever 268 such that pawl 281 is advanced through an angular displacement causing sleeve 277 to advance through about 30 upon lever 268 returning to its at-rest position. The 25 cent solenoid would likewise cause sleeve 277 to advance through about of rotation.

A fourth solenoid 592 mounted on the opposite side of partition wall 590, has a core armature 59:3 pivotally connected to pitman 594 which is pivotally connected at its opposite end to crank 595 rigidly fixed to sleeve 596 rotatably mounted on shaft 278. A crank 597 rigidly connected to the opposite end of sleeve 596 pivotally carries a pawl 598 on stub shaft 599 fixed to said crank. One end of pawl 598 is biased downwardly by a tension spring 600 secured to the opposite upper end of the pawl and the upper end of crank 597 such that the pawl engages the teeth of ratchet wheel 280.

Upon the closing of a 50 cent switch, a pulse is transmitted to relay 49 which, in closing switches 275 and 276,

energizes solenoids 48 and 592 simultaneously such that lever 268 is retracted to unlock the ratchet wheel 280 and crank 597 advances said ratchet wheel through an angle of rotation of about 75 corresponding to a 25 cent credit. At the completion of its travel, pawl 598 of crank 597 abuts a stop 603 for positive engagement of the pawl with ratchet wheel 280 such that said ratchet wheel is locked from further rotation. Upon de-energiza tion of relay 49 and solenoids 48 and 592, crank 597 is biased back to its at-rest position by tension spring 604 acting on pitman crank 595. Ratchet wheel 280 is thereby freed for continued rotational movement of about 75 by lever arm 268 as it is returned to its at-rest position. Thus, the drum 50 is advanced through a total of about 150 rotation in two steps upon the insertion of a 50 cent piece. The operation of the solenoids, relay 49 and the accumulator drum in relation to the electrical circuitry will be further described hereinbelow.

With reference now to FIGURES 3, 5 and 6, drum 50 is loosely rotatably mounted on shaft 278 and is adapted to support outer sleeve 277 which is slidably keyed thereon for axial movement as indicated by the arrow in FIG- URE 16. Drum 50 is concentric with motor driven shaft 278 which is rotatably mounted within box 266 substantially at right angles to links 267.

A switch box 54 containing single-pole switch 65 and single-pole double-throw switches 55 to 59 inclusive and switch box 53 containing single-pole double-throw switches 60 to 64 inclusive as indicated schematically in FIGURE 1, are mounted on support wall 285 as illustrated in FIGURES 3 and 4 such that the two boxes are angularly separated about 75 about the periphery of drum 50. Outer drum sleeve 277 has two sets of six equi-spaced circumferential races 290 and 302 formed thereon wherein each second race is adapted to co-act with at least one of switches 55 to 64 as will be described hereinbelow with reference to the operation of this accumulator embodiment. Each race 290 has a plurality of projections 291 and depressions 292 which selectively actuate the switches according to the angular displacement of the drum. In the event the change storing mechanisms are depleted, outer sleeve 277 is longitudinally displaced on drum 50 by the de-energization of solenoid 149 which is connected to pivotally mounted fork 296 by link 297 as illustrated in FIGURE 5. Upon the de-energization of solenoid 149, fork 296 is pivoted to the left in FIGURE 16 displacing sleeve 277 under the bias of coil compression spring 301 which is disposed about drum 50 at the opposite end of sleeve 277 between the edge of sleeve 277 and ratchet wheel 280.

By so longitudinally displacing sleeve 277, the races 302 adjacent races 290 are aligned with switches 55 to 64 providing actuation of switches corresponding to correct change only values.

Upon the energization of solenoid 149, link 297 urges fork 296 to pivot in a counter-clockwise direction :as viewed in FIGURE 5 against compression spring 301 to displace outer sleeve 277 to the right whereby races 290 are re-aligned with switches 55 to 64 permitting price selection at a variety of prices, with a provision for change making.

The second embodiment of the price setting and switching arrangement, as described hereinabove with reference to FIGURE 2, is illustrated structurally in FIGURE 7. A ridge 610, formed longitudinally on the periphery of drum 611, is adapted to engage switches 560, 561 and 562 which are mounted on the faces of discs 590 and 591. Central openings 612 and 613 formed in said discs are adapted to receive drum 611 concentrically therein for rotational movement.

Discs 590 and 591 are mounted for rotatable movement in brackets 614 and 615. A pair of slots 616 and 617 formed in the upper portion of bracket 615 and flanges 618 formed in the brackets 614 and 615 at 90 spacings about the peripheries of the discs are adapted to receive chords of each disc. A spacer 619 secured to bracket 614 maintains discs 590 and 591 in a predetermined spaced relation to each other.

A plurality of sliding contacts 571, 572 and 573 and 582 to 585 inclusive, spaced singly and in pairs at 15 intervals, as illustrated, are fixed to the inner face of disc 590 such that said contacts can be engaged by sliding contacts 574 and 581 fixed in radial alignment to the adjacent inner face of disc 591. A stop 620 fixed to the inner face of disc 591 is adapted to project into arcuate slot 621 formed in disc 590 such that the positioning of disc 590 relative to 591 can be limited to a maximum angular displacement of about A plurality of indexing slots 622 are formed across the peripheral edge of disc 590 at 15 intervals. A plurality of indexing slots 623 are formed across the peripheral edge of disc 591 at 75 intervals. The operation of the price-setting discs and credit switches will be described hereinbelow.

With reference now to FIGURE 3, cam discs 305 to 308 are equidistantly mounted on motor shaft 278 for rotatable movement thereon. A switch box 51 secured to horizontal support plate 310 houses a plurality of linearly aligned switches above cams 305 to 308 to permit selective actuation of said switches for controlling the sequence of operation of the machine components as described in our co-pending application Ser. No. 286,367.

In operation of the vending machine utilizing the pricesetting accumulator-controller of the present invention, the reception of an electrical pulse by the winding of solenoid 46 advances accumulator ratchet wheel 280 through an angular displacement of 15 about the periphery of the accumulator drum. For the purposes of illustration, a unit base value has been assumed at 5 cents and the rotational displacement of the accumulator drum is based on multiples of 5 cents. It will be understood, of course, that the unit value could be changed as desired and/or tokens substituted for coins without departing from the spirit of the present invention.

Solenoid 47 is adapted to receive an electrical pulse representing the value of a 10 cent coin to rotationally advance ratchet wheel 280 about 30. In like manner, a 25 cent coin, being a fifth multiple of the unit base value, emits an electrical pulse to the winding of solenoid 48 for rotationally advancing ratchet wheel 280 about 75 A 50 cent coin emits an electrical pulse which energizes solenoids 48 and 592, rotatably advancing ratchet wheel 280 in two stages, a total of about The energy pulses thus emitted, in accordance with the value and the order of the coins inserted, rotationally advance ratchet wheel 280 and the accumulator drum through an angular displacement to establish a credit corresponding to the total value of the coins inserted. The actuation of the coin value switches is independent of the order of insertion of the coins of various denominations and the total value credited can be thus attained by insertion of coins of any value and in sequential order within the range of values normally encountered in cornmerce. The range of values can, of course, be readily extended by making provision for coins of smaller or larger values, if desirable.

The operation of the invention will now be described with reference to the first embodiment of the price setting system illustrated in FIGURES 1, 2, 5 and 6 wherein switches 55 and 59 are arranged in box 54 on the vertical portion 286 of support 285 and switches 60 to 64 are arranged on the horizontal portion 287 of support 285 such that the switches are disposed, for convenience, in a 75 angular separation relative to the rotation of accumula tor drum 50. That is, when the sleeve projections 291 are rotated through 75, and clear the row of switches 55 to 59, they then engage the row of switches 60 to 64 actuating the latter in the same manner.

As the outer sleeve 277 of the accumulator is rotated to a 50 cent accumulated value, as indicated by a drum rotation of 150, a plurality of depressions 292' permit the arms operably connected to the respective switches to become depressed, thereby closing the lower contacts of the double-throw switches. For example, the insertion of a 50 cent piece causes the closing of the 25, 30, 35, 40, 45 and 50 cent switches. Thus a purchase could be made at any of these values and the correct change automatically provided based on the difference between the 50 cent credit and the purchase price. The value switches intermediate of the cent multiple values are closed according to the normal combinations of coins inserted. That is, lacking correct change, a purchaser would not deposit more than cents, a quarter and a dime, to make a 30 cent purchase; deposit more than cents, four times to make a 35 cent purchase; nor deposit more than cents, a quarter and two dimes to make a 40 cent purchase, unless he inserted quarters only. Thus, the closing of switches intermediate of the 25 cent multiples is based on 5 cent overages only.

The operation of the price-setting accumulator system illustrated schematically in FIGURE 2 and structurally in FIGURE 7 will now be described. It will be noted that the circuitry of this embodiment is combined with mechanical devices for the performance of functions which are substantially the same as those provided by the price-setting and accumulator system illustrated schematically in FIGURE 1. In that the functional effect of the two embodiments within the machine is similar, the leads communicating the two central systems with the machine components are identified'by common numerals. Also, in that the switch relays in both embodiments are substantially identical, each relay is identified generally by the numeral 87 and the common switches identified by common numerals.

The accumulator drum indicated by numeral 611 is rotatably advanced by 5, 10, 25 and cent pieces in a manner identical to the advancement of drum 50 carrying sleeve 277. A pair of discs 590 and 591 carrying switches 560, 561, and 562, as described hereinabove with reference to FIGURE 7, are substituted for bridge block 86 and the plurality of switches to 64. Discs 590 and 591 are mounted concentric with drum 50 such that said drum will freely rotate in disc openings 612 and switches 560, 561 and 562 will be engageable at selected price levels by shoulder 610 formed on the drum.

By way of illustration, the operation of this price-setting system will be described with the insertion of the correct change of 30 cents for a 30 cent purchase. Disc 590 is set, by the operator, relative to drum 50 such that the drum must rotate through 90, equivalent to a 30 cent credit, to permit engagement of drum shoulder 610 with switch 560. The closing of switch 560 permits energization of relay solenoid 111 and energization of one of the vend solenoids 118 by manual actuation of switches 160 located in series with lines 23, 24 or 25. The energization of solenoid 111 causes armature 115 to be actuated thereby closing switch 119 to energize the prime mover and initiate the distributing cycle of the vending machine as has been described hereinabove.

The insertion of 35 cents for a 30 cent purchase rotates drum 50 through about 105 such that switch 561 is closed. The closing of switch 561 permits the routing of an electrical pulse to a vend solenoid and a relay solenoid for initiation and completion of the vend cycle and the routing of an electrical pulse to a 5 cent changer for the ejection of a 5 cent coin. Thus, during the vend cycle the selected package is ejected together with a nickel change.

To permit change-making for sales at prices between the multiples of 25 cents upon deposit of 25 cents or a 25 cent multiple such as credits of 25 cent, 50 cent, 75 cent and $1.00 values, disc 590 can be adjusted relative to disc 591 by means of indices 622 and 623 such that slide contacts 574 and 581 carried by disc 591 engage one of slide contacts 571 to 573 and one of slide contacts 582 to 585 respectively. For the sale of a 45 cent article, it will be apparent that discs 590 and 591 must be adjusted relative to each other such that contact 574 abuts contact 571. Upon the insertion of 50 cents, switch 562 would be actuated thereby permitting the subsequent routing of an electrical pulse to 5 cent changer by way of contacts 574 and 571. For the sale of a 40 cent article, discs 590 .and 591 would be adjusted such that contact 581 abuts contact 582. Upon the insertion of 50 cents, switch 562 is actuated thereby closing the circuit to relay solenoid 111, a vend solenoid and 10 cent solenoid by line 98 which is connected to contacts 581 and 582. In like manner, the change for sales at 35, 30 and 25 cents from the deposit of 50 cents can be regulated by adjusting the two discs relative to each other. It will be evident that the abutment of contacts 574 and 581 with contacts 572 and 583 -will provide 15 cents change; contact 581 with contact 584 will provide 20 cents change; and contacts 574 and 581 with contacts 573 and 585 will provide 25 cents change.

Stop 620 fixed to disc 591 and adapted to travel in slot 621 limits the adjustment of the two discs relative to each other to about 75, thereby providing up to 25 cents in change between each 25 cent multiple. To permit change making of 1, 2 and 3 cents and/or delivery of one match pack, switches 586, 587 and 588 can be closed.

It will be evident that a pair of discs, price-setting circuit and switch relay 87 are necessary for each price range. The number of price levels that can be established will be determined, of course, by the accommodation for discs permitted by the length of drum 50.

It will be understood, of course, that modifications can be made in the preferred embodiments of the invention described and illustrated herein without departing from the scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.

What we claim as new and desire to protect by letters Patent of the United States is:

1. A price setting accumulator for use with a vending machine comprising a drum rotatably mounted on its axis; means for rotatably advancing said drum responsive to an electrical signal whereby the angular advance of said drum corresponds to and is proportional to money value received in said vending machine; a pair of discs, having central openings adapted to receive said drum, mounted concentric with said drum to permit said drum to rotate freely therein; means for rotating said discs relative to each other and to said drum; switch means and contacts mounted on each of said discs adapted to be adjusted to set various prices by rotation of said discs relative to each other and to the drum; and means carried by said drum for actuating said switch means upon rotation of said drum.

2. A price setting accumulator for use with a vending machine having vend solenoids and change-making solenoids comprising a drum rotatably mounted on its axis; means for rotatably advancing said drum respon sive to an electrical'signal whereby the angular advance of said drum corresponds to and is proportional to money value received in said vending machine; a pair of discs, having central openings adapted to receive said drum, mounted concentric with said drum to permit said drum to rotate freely therein; means for rotating said discs relative to each other and to said drum; switch means and contacts in communication with said vend solenoids and change-making solenoids mounted on each of said discs adapted to be adjusted to set various prices by rotation of said discs relative to each other and to the drum; and means carried by said drum for actuating said switch means upon rotation of said drum.

3. In an accumlator .as claimed in claim 2, said switch means mounted on each of said discs facing inwardly into the central opening for actuation by a ridge formed along said drum and said contacts formed on opposed sides of each of said discs for sliding contact with each-other.

4. In an accumulator as claimed in claim 3, detent 7 8 means comprising a stop fixed to one disc adapted to 2,637,431 5/1953 Harris 1949 travel in a slot formed in the second disc for limiting 3,116,370 12/1963 Andregg et a1. 1941 rotation of one disc relativeto the other. 3,185,281 5/1965 Gross 194-10 X References Cited by the Examiner 5 ROBERT B. REEVES, Primary Examiner.

UNITED STATES PATENTS STANLEY H. TOLLB'ERG, Examiner.

2,613,791 10/1952 Triman 1949 

1. A PRICE SETTING ACCUMULATOR FOR USE WITH A VENDING MACHINE COMPRISING A DRUM ROTATABLY MOUNTED ON ITS AXIS; MEANS FOR ROTATABLY ADVANCING SAID DRUM RESPONSIVE TO AN ELECTRICAL SIGNAL WHEREBY THE ANGULAR ADVANCE OF SAID DRUM CORRESPONDS TO AND IS PROPORTIONAL TO MONEY VALUE RECEIVED IN SAID VENDING MACHINE; A PAIR OF DISCS, HAVING CENTRAL OPENINGS ADAPTED TO RECEIVE SAID DRUM, MOUNTED CONCENTRIC WITH SAID DRUM TO PERMIT SAID DRUM TO ROTATE FREELY THEREIN; MEANS FOR ROTATING SAID DISCS RELATIVE TO EACH OTHER AND TO SAID DRUM; SWITCH MEANS AND CONTACTS MOUNTED ON EACH OF SAID DISCS ADAPTED TO BE ADJUSTED TO SET VARIOUS PRICES BY ROTATION OF SAID DISCS RELATIVE TO EACH OTHER AND TO THE DRUM; AND MEANS CARRIED BY SAID DRUM FOR ACTUATING SAID SWITCH MEANS UPON ROTATION OF SAID DRUM. 